United Airlines Adds Impossible Meatballs to In-Flight Menus

EAT

Jun 21

Plant-based meat takes flight as United partners with Impossible Foods to offer Impossible Meatball bowls on select domestic flights.

Impossible Meatball bowls have been added to United Airlines' first-class menus as part of efforts to provide passengers with more plant-based options.

Exclusive to United, the dish will be available on all domestic flights of more than 800 miles in the continental United States. The plant-based bowls feature Impossible Meatballs (a custom, seasoned mix of Impossible Beef and Impossible Sausage) on a bed of couscous, topped with a herb-infused tomato sauce.

Additionally, United Polaris airport lounges in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Newark will offer ground Impossible Sausage as an omelet ingredient and Impossible Sausage breakfast patties at their buffets.

“United is all about offering the highest quality customer experience, which is something we have in common here at Impossible Foods,” said Dan Greene, Senior Vice President of Sales at Impossible Foods. “It’s exciting to see the airline bring new options to consumers that are better tasting and better for the planet. We think United flyers are going to love having access to Impossible dishes in the air and in the lounge.”

Demand for plant-based options continues to soar

The collaboration between United and Impossible comes as more and more consumers are choosing plant-based options for ethical, health, and environmental reasons. As such, companies and brands are expanding their menus and animal-free offerings to keep up with demand.

“We want our food offerings to evolve and change along with people’s preferences – we’re proud to work with Impossible Foods and think our customers are really going to love these new options,” said Aaron McMillan, United Managing Director of Hospitality and Planning. “To many travelers, the quality of food choices at the airport and in the sky are a really important part of the customer experience, so we’re invested in making sure our menu items exceed their expectations. This is the first of many updates we look forward to sharing in the months ahead.”

United isn’t the first airline to add Impossible products to its menus. In March, Delta Airlines began offering the Impossible Burger for Delta One and First Class customers on select flights over 900 miles. The vegetarian option featured the brand’s plant-based patty rubbed with a green chili spice, topped with caramelized onion chutney and Manchego cheese, and served on a brioche roll. Black Sheep Foods’ plant-based lamb meatballs were also added on select flights.

Delta also introduced Impossible Meatballs for passengers on select flights departing from New York City’s LaGuardia and JFK airports. The vegetarian dish contains the plant-based meatballs, orzo risotto, pesto cream, spinach, and roasted tomatoes. “Not only are plant-based meats like Impossible™ Burger delicious to eat, but they’re also often better for the environment, using far less land and water to produce,” said Kristen Manion Taylor, Delta’s Senior Vice President of In-Flight Service. “These new options are one part of Delta’s broader mission to promote a wellness-focused travel journey.”

Customers can now pre-order the Impossible Meatball Bowl through United’s website or via the United mobile app.

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